27-stone Aberdeen man swims to raise cash for cancer baby
Caring dad’s 100 lengths to help youngster
Published:
A DAD weighing in at a whopping 27 stone swam 100 lengths to raise cash for a child hundreds of miles away.
Big-hearted Aberdeen man Derek Russo took on the challenge when he heard the plight of a baby in England that had been diagnosed with cancer.
And he defied those who doubted him to complete the swim at the city’s Linksfield Community Centre pool in under two hours.
“It was tough having to pull my head above water for 100 lengths,” said Derek, 29. “Afterwards my neck and shoulders were stiff but it was a real buzz knowing I had done something worthwhile.”
Derek works as a senior sales executive at Ellon firm Duotool.
The firm has clients throughout the UK and had been asked to help raise cash for a customer in Bromley.
They were asked to donate a prize which would make cash for 16-month old Laney, who had been diagnosed with stomach cancer.
But Derek, dad to 17-month-old Maria, wanted to do something more.
“The little girl was 16 months old, that was the same age as my daughter,” he said.
“It really struck a chord that this could happen to anyone and I decided I wanted to do something special.
“I am a 27 stone guy – everyone said there was no way I could do 100 lengths.
“But I started training, going to the pool a couple of nights a week and then I managed to swim it in one hour and 50 minutes.
It was much faster than I expected.
“The centre gave me the pool for four hours and I thought I would use the whole time.”
Derek raised nearly £350 in sponsor money.
“I spoke to the little girl’s gran and she was almost in tears when I told her I was going to do the challenge,” said Derek, married to part-time chef Serena, 30.
“That really gave me the inspiration to do it.
“If the money goes towards helping one little baby then I know I have done something worthwhile.”
Derek raised the cash for little Laney through children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent.
Readers' Comments
What a star is there anyway we can sens him a few bob toward the money already raised. I rekon he should be noninated for community chamnpion. I wish there were more like him in the world. Top Bloke. I hope little Laney makes a full recovery.
Steven Thomson
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